Encampment Cleanup Crew Finds More Human Remains in Downtown Portland; May Be Linked to Earlier Discovery

Portland, OR. — A crew contracted to clean up homeless encampments discovered additional human remains near West Burnside Street and Interstate 405 on Monday, Oct. 19, prompting Portland police to investigate a possible connection to remains found downtown six days earlier.

Central Precinct officers responded to the latest discovery at approximately 12:40 p.m. Detectives from the Portland Police Bureau’s Homicide Unit also responded.

Police said initial observations suggest a possible link to human remains discovered Oct. 13 near Southwest Harvey Milk Street and Southwest Naito Parkway. Investigators currently believe the two discoveries involve one deceased individual, but confirmation awaits a full examination by the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

The first discovery was also made by a crew contracted to clean up homeless encampments. Officers responded at approximately 9:15 a.m. that Tuesday after receiving reports of a suspicious discovery. A Medical Examiner’s Office representative and homicide detectives responded and confirmed the remains were human.

Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding both discoveries. The release did not identify the deceased person or provide a cause or manner of death.

Anyone with information about the Oct. 19 discovery is asked to email homicidetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 26-304859. Information about the Oct. 13 discovery can be submitted to the same address under case number 26-298767.